Method and system for displaying advertisements in an electronic program guide

ABSTRACT

A system and method for displaying an electronic program schedule guide is provided. The system has areas for displaying program schedule information. In addition, the system also has areas that may be used for advertising programs, products or services. In another embodiment, the system has areas for displaying messages to the user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/352,669, filed Jul. 9, 1999, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 08/846,801, which has now issued as U.S. Pat. No.5,940,073, which claimed the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication “ADVERTISING ‘HOT ZONE’ AND RELATED FEATURES,” U.S.Application No. 60/016,871, filed May 3, 1996, having Brian LeeKlosterman as the inventor and assigned to StarSight Telecast, Inc., andU.S. Provisional Patent Application “INFORMATION SYSTEM,” U.S.Application No. 60/032,038, filed Nov. 26, 1996, having Brian LeeKlosterman and Steven Schein as the inventors and assigned to StarSightTelecast, Inc. The 60/016,871 and 60/032,038 applications are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a program schedule guide and,more particularly, to a system and process for allowing a televisionviewer to access on-screen television program listings and otherinformation services in an easy and convenient way.

The number of television channels available to a user has growndramatically within the last decade, primarily due to the availabilityof cable and direct broadcast satellite systems. As the number ofprograms of potential interest to the viewer has increased, a variety ofelectronic program guides have been developed to help the viewer selectprograms of particular interest. For example, commonly assigned U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,706,121 and 5,353,121 each describes schedule informationprocessing systems which provide the viewer with a convenient way toselect programs based on viewer supplied selection criteria.

Given the hectic lifestyle of today's society, a system which providesother information in addition to television program schedule informationwould be very convenient for the busy viewer. Examples of informationviewers may desire are weather information, financial information, andthe like. Hence, an information system such as a guide with regionsreserved for such information would provide a valuable service to auser. Furthermore, these regions could be used for advertising orpromotional purposes, which may or may not be interactive, therebyenabling more services to be provided without increasing the cost of theguide.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The system and method of the present invention provides a programschedule guide with information regions for displaying additionalinformation. Alternatively, the additional information may be providedby a separate information guide, and a user may “hypertune” from theprogram schedule guide to the information guide, and vice versa. Theinformation to be displayed is received by a peripheral device which caneither be a stand-alone device, such as a set-top box or a web-browserbox; or integrated into the user's television, VCR, computer, satelliteIRD, cable box, and the like. In addition, the information may bedisplayed on a computer screen, a television screen, or a televisionmonitor screen.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the program guideinteractively displays a program schedule guide and the screen containsadditional non-interactive information regions which can be used fordisplaying advertising or promotional messages for products or programsin a static or scrolling manner. The advertising may be for specialprogramming events such as pay-per-view movies, current or upcomingprograms, or for merchandise and services or messages to the user. Thepromotional information may relate to an individual network/broadcaster,or for a selected program, merchandise or services.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, both the program guideand the information regions are interactive with the user. Theinteractive information regions may also display information in a staticor scrolling manner, and may contain promotional information regarding acurrent or up-coming program or product advertising information. Inaddition, if the information region contains advertising informationregarding a product, the user may click on the information region to seea billboard or schedule a recording of an infomercial on the product.The interactive program schedule guide and the information regions mayfurther be combined with various other forms of information. Potentialsources of additional information include news, sports, and weather.This additional information may either be available on command by theuser, or continuously displayed within an area of the program guide. Inanother preferred embodiment, the information is displayed in a separateinformation guide.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the program guide isnon-interactive, however the information regions containing theadvertising and promotional information are interactive and may beeither static or scrolling. The user may activate icons or menu items inthe information regions or click on the region itself to gain access toadditional displays of advertising and promotional information. In thisembodiment, the user may switch between full screen display of the guideand a partial or reduced size picture-in-picture (PIP) window display ofthe guide via, for example, an on screen menu with cursor or pointercontrol. This feature allows a user to see a large scale version of theguide, or to be able to see the guide through a PIP window while alsogetting a “flavor” for a currently selected show through a partialobservation of the show. Preferably in this mode, the audio for the showalso continues to be played.

In preferred embodiments, if an information region is interactive anddisplays information regarding a program, the user may click on theinformation region and direct tune to the program if it is currently on.Alternatively, the user may schedule automatic tuning to the programwhen the program comes on. If the user schedules an “autotune,” thesystem may request confirmation from the user just prior to, or at thetime of the scheduled tuning of the program. Alternatively, the systemmay tune to the program directly. If the program is a pay-per-viewprogram, the system may authorize payment for the program automatically.Preferably, the system will request user confirmation before tuning toor authorizing payment of the program. In addition, the user may chooseto record a current program or record a future program. To do this, theuser would highlight the program desired on the information region, thenchoose the record option, and the system would record a current programor asks if it should schedule recording of a future program.

In another preferred embodiment, the advertising or promotionalinformation may appear only during times when the user is more likely toactually be watching the program schedule guide. The guide may furthercontain commercial icons that allow a user to get more information aboutthe product or service advertised. In addition, the informationdisplayed may change as the user moves the cursor from cell to cell inthe program guide. Alternatively, the information displayed in theinformation regions may change after the passage of a predeterminednumber of seconds, regardless of user activity. Additional informationregions may be displayed while the user confirms that he/she desires toautotune to an upcoming program. These information regions may containadvertising for products, programs, or services and may be displayeduntil the user makes his/her confirmation.

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the presentinvention may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of thespecification and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a system on which a programschedule guide according to the present invention may be displayed;

FIG. 2( a) is an illustration of a program schedule guide screenaccording to the present invention with program information, informationicons, and information regions;

FIG. 2( b) is an illustration of a promotional message screen shown tothe user when the user selects the information region of FIG. 2( a);

FIG. 3( a) is an illustration of a program schedule guide screenaccording to the present invention with program information, andinformation regions;

FIG. 3( b) is an illustration of a promotional message screen shown tothe user when the user selects the information region of FIG. 3( a);

FIG. 4( a) is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the programschedule guide screen according to the present invention with programinformation and an information region;

FIG. 4( b) is an illustration of a promotional message screen shown tothe user when the user selects the information region of FIG. 4( a);

FIG. 5( a) is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the programschedule guide screen according to the present invention with programinformation and an information region;

FIG. 5( b) is an illustration of a promotional message screen shown tothe user when the user selects the information region of FIG. 5( a);

FIG. 6( a) is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the programschedule guide screen according to the present invention with programinformation and an information region;

FIG. 6( b) is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the programschedule guide screen which includes virtual channels;

FIG. 6( c) is an illustration of a submenu screen shown to the user whenthe user selects the information region of FIG. 6( a) or the virtualchannel of FIG. 6( b);

FIG. 6( d) is an illustration of a data page shown to the user when theuser selects one of the options shown in the submenu screen of FIG. 6(c);

FIG. 7 is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the programschedule guide which includes information regions;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the programschedule guide screen which includes information icons;

FIG. 9( a) is an illustration of an embodiment of the information guide;

FIG. 9( b) is an illustration of a submenu of the information guide withnews highlighted;

FIG. 9( c) is an illustration of a news information screen;

FIG. 10( a) is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of a submenuof the information guide with sports highlighted;

FIG. 10( b) is an illustration of a sports submenu;

FIG. 10( c) is an illustration of a sports information screen;

FIG. 11( a) is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of theinformation screen with weather highlighted;

FIG. 11( b) is an illustration of a weather submenu;

FIG. 11( c) is an illustration of a weather information screen;

FIG. 11( d) is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the weathersubmenu;

FIG. 11( e) is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of a weatherand information screen; and

FIG. 12 illustrates the hardware elements of a preferred embodiment ofthe invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention provides a schedule system which containsinformation regions for displaying other than television programschedule information. FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment oftelevision/computer system 100 that displays a program schedule guideaccording to the present invention. As shown, system 100 includes adistribution center 110 and multiple receiving locations. Distributioncenter 110 compiles data for a data-stream. In a preferred embodiment,this data-stream is broadcast to receiving locations 116, 118, 120, and122; and peripheral devices that are located within the receivinglocations receive the data-stream. Several methods are available forbroadcasting the data-stream from distribution center 110 to receivinglocations 116-122. For example, satellite 115 may broadcast thisdata-stream within the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of a televisionchannel (e.g., PBS) or a dedicated channel to receiving locations 116,118, 120, and 122. Alternatively, the data may also be broadcast out ofband, i.e., using non channel specific mechanisms. In another preferredembodiment, the data-stream is provided to receiving locations 116, 118,120, and 122 via transmission system 113. Transmission system 113 maybe, for example, optical fiber, coax cable, telephone line, over the airtelevision broadcast, or the like.

In yet another embodiment, the peripheral devices receive thedata-stream from, for example, a local service provider 140. Serviceprovider 140 receives the data-stream from distribution center 110 vialine 117, and broadcasts the data-stream to the receiving peripheraldevices via satellite 115 (or another satellite), or via lines 119 and113. The receiving peripheral devices may be televisions 130,televisions 134, VCRs 132, VCRs 136, and/or cable, satellite IRD,web-browser or set-top boxes 138. In still further embodiments, PCTVs orpersonal computers may be utilized, or the data-stream may be providedto a personal computer for use with the computer and/or one or more ofthe above devices. Hence, the system is not dependent on hardwareplatforms, rather it may be a software application that may bedownloaded to different systems.

In a preferred embodiment, information in the data-stream includestelevision schedule information, advertising information, newsinformation, weather information, financial information, internetaddress linking information, and the like. The information in thedata-stream may further include messages from the system operator to aspecific user or to subscribers of the system in general. Softwareapplications, which may be downloaded from the distribution center orlocated within the peripheral devices, utilize the schedule informationprovided in the data-stream to generate a schedule guide. The news,weather, financial, and other information may be included in theschedule guide, or a separate information guide may be generated.Advertising information and messages from the system operator to a userare included on the schedule guide, and may be included on theinformation guide as well. In yet another preferred embodiment, data inthe front and back end of the data-stream may be compressed to send atickler instead of a regular full screen video display. The ticklerwould be a PIP window, and because the window size is small, the qualityof the picture is sufficient even though it is generated from compresseddata.

If the software applications are located within the peripheral devices,they may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium such as a RAM,disk, or other storage device. Where applicable, the computer-readablestorage medium may also be a ROM. If the schedule guide is in a gridformat, for example, the available channels may be listed on the “y”axis and various times may be listed on the “x” axis. For moreinformation on how the schedule system displays information, see U.S.Pat. No. 4,706,121, U.S. Pat. No. 5,479,266, and U.S. Pat. No.5,479,268. These patents, like the present patent application, areassigned to StarSight Telecast, Inc., and are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety for all purposes.

In another preferred embodiment, satellite 115 has processingcapability. Hence, in addition to distribution center 110, satellite 115may also compile data for the data-stream. This embodiment is veryadvantageous as it ensures continued and reliable data transmission insituations where satellite 115 may not be able to receive data fromdistribution center 110. An example of such situations is during periodsof atmospheric or terrestrial interferences, which occur when satellite115 is in-line with distribution center 110 and the Sun. The Sun, havingimmense energy, emits a lot of noise thereby interfering with datatransmission from distribution center 110 to satellite 115. With its owndata processor, satellite 115 may continue to transmit data, hence,ensuring continued and reliable data transfer to the receivinglocations. This embodiment also ensures continued and reliable datatransmission when distribution center 110 is out of service.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a program schedule guide screen accordingto the present invention. As illustrated, program guide screen 200 hasprogram information, information regions for offering product andprogram information, and information icons for offering information suchas sports, news and the like. FIG. 2 shows only two information regions,220 and 250, although guide screen 200 may have multiple informationregions. As shown in FIG. 2, cell 220 shows a promotion for NBC'sprogram featuring Travolta. Program guide screen 200 also contains anadvertisement space 250. This space can be used to provide additionaladvertising opportunities, an example is advertisements for a systemoperator. Preferably the space is used for short advertisements thatchange periodically, for example, on three minute intervals. An exampleof a suitable advertisement is “Enjoy Coke!”. Here cell 250 shows anadvertisement from RCA. In another embodiment the information displayedin the information regions may change as the user moves from cell tocell in the program guide. Alternatively, the information may changeautomatically after the passage of a predetermined number of seconds,regardless of user activity. In addition or as an alternative, there maybe commercial icons to allow the user to get more information about theproduct or service advertised.

Information regions 220 and 250 may be color coded or otherwise visuallydistinguished. They may also be placed at strategic positions within theguide to better catch the user's attention. As described, when aninformation region contains program information, such as cell 220, theuser may move the cursor to the region (or the cursor may point to theregion by default) and tune to the program if it is currently on. If theprogram is not currently on, the user may schedule an autotune to theprogram when the program airs. The user may further record a currentprogram or schedule a recording of a future program. When an informationregion contains product information, such as cell 250, the user mayclick on the information region to tune to an infomercial on theproduct. Alternatively, the user may schedule an autotune to theinfomercial at a later time period, or schedule a recording of theinfomercial on the product. In a two way system, which has aback-channel for transmitting information or requests from the user, theuser may also order a product by clicking on an information region andproviding the necessary customer information for transmission to asupplier of the product, or to the system operator (service provider).

Portion 240 of guide screen 200 contains cells 245. Each cell 245indicates the channel number corresponding to the program guide cell 255lying immediately adjacent to it in the program guide. Instead of, or incombination with the channel number, cells 245 may contain the programservice name. For example, a cell 245 may contain the channel number 32,the service name PBS, or both.

The system operator may charge television program providers anadditional fee, per time slot, for promoting and featuring programs inthe information regions. In this manner, the system operator may providethe guide to a user at a reduced price while providing more information.A number of different display arrangements can be used to draw theuser's attention to such “special” programs. For example, the programmay be listed first in the program guide, shown in a different typeface,presented in a different color, given additional space for a programdescription, or have some other form of graphic enhancement, includinganimation.

FIG. 2( b) is an illustration of a promotional message screen 260.Screen 260 is shown to the user when information region 220 isinteractive, and the user clicks on information region 220. Promotionalscreen 260 may also contain an icon to allow immediate tuning to theprogram described by the promotional message. In addition, promotionalscreen 260 may contain another icon that returns the user to guide 200.Since the system operator may charge a fee for displaying suchpromotional information, some or all of a message portion 275 may alsobe used as an additional revenue source.

In FIG. 2( b), portion 275 contains the promotion: “Amid the flash of70's Disco, an aspiring young dancer . . . .” This promotional material,which in this example would typically be provided by NBC, provides theuser with several benefits. First, it allows a program to be promotedwhich is not currently represented in the program schedule guide.Second, portion 275 may be used to provide further information about aspecific program, such as the starring actors or a brief description ofthe program content, thus possibly gaining a larger viewing audience ormarket share. Third, by promoting a program through prominent featuringof the program in the program guide, the broadcaster may be able toprevent potential viewers from becoming engrossed in a program which isto continue after the start time of the promoted program.

Portion 280 of screen 260 is used to indicate the sponsor of thepromotional message shown in portion 275. The sponsor indication can beby broadcaster call letters, channel number, broadcaster name, orbroadcaster insignia (e.g., the NBC peacock). It is also possible toeliminate portion 280, thereby enlarging portion 275. Additionalinformation may therefore be displayed in portion 275. Since portion 280of screen 260 displays information regarding a program, the user mayclick on the information region and direct tune to the program if it iscurrently on. Alternatively, the user may schedule automatic tuning tothe program when the program comes on. If the user schedules anautotune, the system may request confirmation from the user beforetuning to the program, or the system may tune to the program directly.Preferably, the system will request user confirmation before tuning tothe program. If user confirmation is requested, additional informationregions/may be displayed until the user makes his confirmation. Theseinformation regions may include advertising for products or services.

If the promoted program is a pay-per-view program, the system mayauthorize payment for the program automatically. Preferably, the systemwill request user confirmation before authorizing payment of theprogram. The user may further choose to record the promoted program,whether it is a current program, a future program, or a pay-per-viewprogram. If the user requests recording of a pay-per-view program, thesystem may ask for confirmation before authorizing payment for theprogram. If the user requests recording of a future program, the systemmay also request user confirmation. Additional information regions mayalso be displayed while the user confirms his/her recording request.

If an information region displays advertising or promotional material,the user may activate an icon, click on the region, or select a menuitem to view additional information about the product or serviceadvertised. From these additional information displays, the user maylearn more about the product or service, order the product or service,or find out where the product or service may be obtained. The additionaldisplays would of course allow the user to return to the previousdisplays after the user has seen the desired information displays.

The invention may also allow the user to switch between full screendisplay and a PIP window display of the guide via, for example, an onscreen menu with cursor control, This feature would allow a user to seea large scale version of the guide, or to be able to see the guide whilealso getting a “flavor” for a currently selected show through onlypartial observation of the show. Preferably in this mode, the audio forthe show also continues to be played.

FIG. 3( a) is an illustration of a program schedule guide screen 300with program information 320 and interactive information regions 330 and340. As can be seen, guide screen 300 does not contain informationicons. Hence, more schedule information may be shown on the screen,thereby allowing the user to access more schedule information perscreen. Information region 320, like information region 220, promotes aprogram. In addition, it provides a brief description of the programcontent, thereby allowing information other than program description tobe shown on promotional message screen 350 (FIG. 3( b)). As shown byFIG. 3( b), message screen 350 contains contest information, however,other information related to the program may also be shown on screen350.

FIG. 4( a) is an illustration of a program schedule guide screen 400. Asshown, the user may move a cursor across region 410 to move between thedifferent days of the week. In FIG. 4( a), the user has selectedWednesday. Hence, the schedule information displayed is for Wednesday,and the time shown is the current time. The system knows what time theuser is watching television, and automatically adjusts the cursor to belocated on default on a cell that corresponds to the current time.

As shown, guide screen 400 has one information region 420, which ispromoting a program that may be on shortly or is currently on.Information region 420 is interactive. Hence, if the user clicks onregion 420, the user may see message screen 450 (FIG. 4( a)), whichdisplays a description of the program content. In addition, messagescreen 450 may also display promotional materials about an upcomingprogram, This way, the system operator may indirectly promote multipleprograms on region 420. If the program is currently on, the user mayclick on icon 460 to tune to the program. If the program will come onshortly, the user will be tuned to the channel that corresponds to theprogram. Alternatively, the user may click on icon 470 to startrecording the program if the program is on. On occasions where theprogram will come on shortly, the system will start recording theprogram when the program comes on.

FIG. 5( a) is an illustration of a program schedule guide screen 500. Asshown, guide screen 500 has one information region 520, which isinteractive. Information region 520 is promoting a program that will airin the future. In this case, if the user clicks on region 520, the usermay see message screen 550 (FIG. 5( b)), which also displays adescription of the program content. In another embodiment, messagescreen 500 may also contain an icon, which the user may click on to viewa short video preview. This preview may be shown in a PIP window, andthe preview video data may be transmitted in a compressed format. Asmentioned, the size of the window allows a decent video display to begenerated from compressed data. Message screen 550 also displayspromotional materials about an upcoming program. However, because theprogram will not air until a later date, message screen 550 has icon560, which when clicked on by the user, will allow the user to schedulean autotune to the program when the program comes on. Once the user hasscheduled an autotune, the system will automatically tune to the programwhen the program airs. Preferably, user confirmation is requested beforethe system tunes to the program. Alternatively, the user may click onicon 570 to schedule a recording of the program. The system willautomatically start recording the program when the program comes on.

In another embodiment, the system may automatically tune a user to apromoted program when the program comes on. This may happen whether ornot the user has scheduled an autotune to the program. Preferably, thesystem will ask the user whether the user wishes to tune to the programbefore automatically tuning to the program.

The interactive and non-interactive information screens may both be usedfor displaying scrolling messages or static messages. As discussed,these information screens may be used to promote programs as well asproducts. In addition, the information screens may also be used to sendmessages to specific users, for example, alerting a user that his/herbill is overdue. This is because each guide system has a unique unitaddress. Hence, the system operator is able to send messages to specificusers by sending the messages to the respective unit addresses. Ofcourse, the information screens may be used to send system wide messagesto all users. For example, the information screens may be used to sendalerts to all users, for example, of an impending disaster. Theinformation screens may further be used to send messages to a specificgroup of users. For example, the system could send a message to allMagnavox television owners by checking for Magnavox television codes asthis information is entered into the system when the user first sets upthe system. To ensure that messages to the users are read by the users,such messages will have a bit attached to them that keeps them in theinformation screen until the user indicates that he/she has seen themessage. The user may indicate that he/she has seen the message bypushing a button on a user input device or by clicking on an icon on theguide to clear the message. This way, even though the message may beplaced by the system operator in the morning, the user may still see themessage when the user watches television at Prime Time. After themessage is cleared, the system, will place advertisements or promotionsappropriate for the time when the message is cleared in the informationscreen.

FIG. 6( a) is an illustration of a program schedule guide screen 600. Asshown, guide screen 600 has an interactive information region 620, whichpromotes a website connected with a program. In an alternate embodiment(FIG. 6( b)), guide screen 600 may include a virtual channel 640. Avirtual channel is a channel that does not tune to television programs;instead, the channel may launch an application, connect to an internetsite, connect to an information guide, and the like. In the example asshown in FIG. 6( b), virtual channel 640 contains an internetaddress—also called a Uniform Resource Locator (URL); hence it connectsto an Internet site. As shown in FIG. 6( b), region 620 may be used todisplay promotional materials in this alternate embodiment. If a userselects virtual channel 640 of FIG. 6( b), or information region 620 ofFIG. 6( a), the user may see submenu screen 650 of FIG. 6( c).

As shown in FIG. 6( c), the user may choose to connect to the Seinfeldweb page, the NBC web page that promotes the Seinfeld show, or theComedy Network web page by clicking on one of the three website icons660, 665, and 669, respectively. The system will launch a web-browserwhen the user selects an information region that promotes a website, ortunes to a virtual channel containing a URL. After the user has madehis/her selection, the system will insert the URL corresponding to theselected website into the web-browser, which will begin to access theweb and search for the website selected by the user to connect the userto the website data page. Hence, if the user selects one of the websiteicons, the system will connect the user to the website that correspondsto the icon. FIG. 6( d) is an illustration of a web page 680 shown tothe user when the user chooses to connect to the NBC web page. As shown,after the user is connected to the page, the user may participate inpromotions on the page just as if the user had connected to the pagedirectly through a web-browser.

FIG. 6( d) further shows window 688, which shows the television programthat the user was viewing before the user selected virtual channel 640from program guide screen 600 of FIG. 6( b), or clicked on informationregion 620 of FIG. 6( a). The user may resume watching the televisionprogram by clicking on window 688. This is referred to as “hypertuning,”and the system will return the user to the program the user was viewing.While the user is viewing the program, the system preferably displays anetwork icon that the user may click on to hypertune to the web page.Alternatively, the system may display the page in a picture-in-picturewindow such as window 688 while the viewer is viewing a program. Theuser may click on the picture-in-picture web page to hypertune to thepage.

In another preferred embodiment, after the user has selected either icon660, 665, or 669 of FIG. 6( c), the user may tune to the program theviewer was watching before accessing the guide. The system will displaya “searching” symbol while launching a web-browser and searching for thewebsite that the user has requested. After the system has connected tothe website, the system will notify the user that the search iscomplete, and asks whether the user wishes to hypertune to the web page.In yet another preferred embodiment, the user may click on any programtitles shown in the program guide cells, and the system will display alist of one or more websites that are related to the program. The usermay select to tune to the program or connect to one of the websites. Inaddition, the user may click on an icon or press a remote control buttonto toggle between watching television and browsing the web.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a program schedule guide screen 700 withnon-interactive program portion 705 and interactive information regions710 and 715. Portion 705, as shown, is a time slice of scheduleinformation for current programs. Since the user may not interact withportion 705 of guide screen 700, portion 705 may be updatedautomatically over time to show current and future programs. The amountof future programs shown may be predetermined. Hence, the user may seewhat is currently on, and what programs will come on up to apredetermined amount of time. However, the user may not obtain moreinformation regarding the programs, tune to the programs from portion705, or record the programs from portion 705.

As shown in FIG. 7, information region 710 contains program promotionalinformation. Since information region 710 is interactive with the user,the user may click on information region 710 to get further informationabout the programs shown in the region. The user may further click oninformation region 710 to tune to the program if it is currently on, orthe user may schedule an autotune to the program when it comes on. Whenautotune is scheduled, the system may or may not notify the user beforeautomatically tuning to the program when the program comes on.Preferably, the system will request confirmation from the user beforeautomatically tuning to the program. Finally, the user may schedule arecording of a future program or begin recording of a program currentlyon. As discussed, if the system requests confirmation from the user,additional information regions may be displayed while the user confirmshis/her request.

Information region 715 may either be a static or scrolling message areathat contains selected news or sports information. For example, thelatest sports scores can scroll across information region 715. Althoughin the preferred embodiment, the type of information shown ininformation region 715 is determined by the system operator, it is alsopossible to allow the user to select the type of information to be shownin information region 715.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a program guide screen 800. Screen 800contains a program schedule portion 805 similar in nature to theschedule guides previously described. In addition, screen 800 containsseveral information icons 810. Icons 810 can represent local or nationalweather forecasts, local or national news, sports news, sports scores,financial news, and the like. In response to the user selecting one oficons 810, screen 800 may be replaced with one or more additionalinformation screens. For example, the weather information screen maydisplay the current weather conditions or weather predictions for aplurality of regions. The sports score information screen may have iconsor regions to represent each of a plurality of sports. A user may clickon the individual icons or regions to view another screen dedicated to asingle sport, or the sports score information screen may display thescores for different sports and sports teams on the same screen. Thefinancial news information screen may likewise have icons or regionsthat the user may click on to choose other screens dedicated to specificfinancial markets. Alternatively, the financial news information screenmay combine and display the financial markets on one screen.

FIG. 9( a) is an illustration of an information guide screen 900. Asshown, information guide screen 900 contains news, weather, sports, andhoroscope information, however, other types of information may also beshown by information guide screen 900. As discussed, in an alternateembodiment, an information guide may be provided in addition to theprogram guide. The information guide may be connected to the programguide, or it may be a separate program. Since the information guidecontains news, weather, sports, and other information, it may replacethe information icons on the program guide, thereby allowing the programguide screen to show the user more program information.

In FIG. 9( a), the user has selected “National News.” FIG. 9( b) is anillustration of a submenu 920 of information guide screen 900. As can beseen, submenu 920 further breaks “National News” down into the differentheadlines. In a preferred embodiment, the user may tune to CNN or otherNetwork News Station from submenu 920. The system operator may charge afee for this service, and may allow the user to tune to one or moreNetwork News Station depending on the fees paid by the Network NewsProviders. Hence, CNN, for example, may pay a premium fee to be the onlyNews Station that the user may connect to from submenu 920.Alternatively, CNN may pay a regular fee, and the user may tune to CNN,and other News Stations that have paid the regular fee.

From submenu 920, the user may highlight one of the headlines to selectthe headline and obtain the story. In this example, the story isdisplayed according to FIG. 9( c) in a news information screen 940.Alternatively, the user may click on a video icon (not shown) on screen940 to further view a video clip relating to the story. The system mayaccess the video clip via the video network, i.e., via cable, directbroadcast satellite, and the like. The video clip could be generatedfrom compressed data, and if so, it may be presented in a PIP ticklerformat. Alternatively, the system may link to, for example, CNN'swebsite, and retrieve an Audio-Video-Interleaved (AVI) file to present amoving picture related to the headline to the user. The video icon mayalso be available from submenu screen 920. Hence the user may click onthe icon to view a video clip of the headline directly instead ofreading the story. In another preferred embodiment, the system mayautomatically activate a video clip corresponding to whichever newsheadline that the user has selected, thereby eliminating the need forthe user to activate an icon in order to view the video clip.

FIG. 10( a) is an illustration of an information guide screen 1000 thatis similar to information guide screen 900 except in FIG. 10( a), theuser has selected “Pro Scores” instead of “National News.” FIG. 10( b)is an illustration of a submenu 1020, which further breaks down “ProScores” into the different scoreboards. In a preferred embodiment,similar to the news submenu 920, the user may tune to ESPN or otherSports Station from sports submenu 1020. The system operator may alsocharge a fee for this service, and may allow the user to rune to one ormore Sports Station depending on the fees paid by the Providers. Hence,ESPN may also, for example, pay a premium fee to be the only SportsStation that the user may connect to from submenu 1020. Alternatively,ESPN may pay a regular fee, and the user may tune to ESPN, and otherSports Stations that have also paid the regular fee.

From submenu 1020, the user may highlight one of the scoreboards toselect the scoreboard and obtain scores pertaining to the board. In thisexample, the scores are displayed according to FIG. 10( c) in a sportsinformation screen 1040. As shown in screen 1040, the scores arepresented in grid format. Other arrangements may of course be used, solong as the information is presented in a logical fashion. Frominformation screen 1040, the user may also click on a video icon (notshown) to further view a video clip relating to the game. As discussed,the system may access the video clip via the video network, i.e., viacable, direct broadcast satellite, and the like, and this video clipcould be generated from compressed data. Alternatively, the system maylink to, for example, the NFL's website, and retrieve an AVI file, if itis available, to present a moving picture related to the game to theuser.

FIG. 11( a) is an illustration of an information guide screen 1100 thatis also similar to information guide screen 900 except in FIG. 11( a),the user has selected “Weather” instead of “National News.” FIG. 11( b)is an illustration of a submenu 1120, which further breaks down“Weather” into weather forecasts for the different geographic regions.The system displays different local weather forecasts depending on thelocation of the user. In the example as shown in FIG. 11( b), the useris located in California, along the East Bay; hence, the local weatherforecasts are for the different East Bay cities. In another embodiment,the user may specify the geographic region. Hence, the user may obtainalso weather information for regions other than where the user islocated.

In FIG. 11( b), the user has selected weather forecast for the UnitedStates, hence, the user may be shown a U.S. weather information screen1140 (FIG. 11( c)), which displays the information in a column fashion.Other display arrangements that displays the information in a logicalmanner may also be used; furthermore, the information may be moredetailed than that shown in information screen 1140. FIG. 11( d) is anillustration of a submenu 1160 that is similar to submenu 1120 except inFIG. 11( d), the user has selected weather forecast for Berkeley,instead of for the U.S. Hence, the user is shown a forecast of Berkeleyweather in an information screen 1180 (FIG. 11( e)) instead. Since theweather information is for a local region, it is more detailed andprovides more information to the user. As shown in FIG. 11( e), theweather information is displayed in a row fashion. Again, otherarrangements for presenting the weather information may also be used aslong as the information is organized in a logical manner.

FIG. 12 illustrates the hardware elements of one particular embodimentof the invention. As shown, the configuration preferably utilizes aprogram guide controller 1205 (for example, a data processor), one ormore televisions sources 1210, and a TV or computer monitor 1215. Thesesystems may also include a VCR 1220 and a remote control 1225. Programguide system 1205 may be a stand-alone device or it may be incorporatedinto another system such as a television, a cable decoder, a computer, aPCTV, or a VCR. As shown, program guide system 1205 has a unit address1230 that is unique to each system. Hence, the system operators mayidentify system 1205 according to its unique unit address therebyenabling the system operators to send messages to specific users.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes a plug-in programguide controller module 1240. Module 1240 determines the extent ofprogram guide 1205's capabilities. Thus module 1240 may only allowprogram guide 1205 to provide a non-interactive guide or the guide maynot have information icons. When the user wants to upgrade program guide1205, for example, adding interactive capability, information icons, ormore detailed category searching, module 1240 may be replaced with adifferent module authorizing more extensive guide capabilities. Thisembodiment has the distinct advantage of allowing the system to besignificantly altered without requiring major hardware changes. Sincethe user upgrades module 1240 to upgrade the guide, the user does notneed the system operator to provide technical support. In this scenariothe user would merely procure a different module 1240, install the newmodule into the program guide system 1205, and pay the new fee set bythe system operator for the new benefits.

Preferably the system operates under the control of softwareapplications on a renewable computer memory. The memory for the softwareapplications may be located in one or more IC's, for example, theplug-in module of the data processor, or in ROM, RAM, FLASH memory orany combination thereof. Accordingly, the disclosures and descriptionsherein are intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scopeof the invention which is set forth in the following claims.

1-43. (canceled)
 44. A method for simultaneously displaying banneradvertisements with a program guide, comprising: displaying a pluralityof schedule information items in a program information region of adisplay, the display having a first horizontal width; selecting anadvertisement for display from a plurality of advertisements, theadvertisement having a second horizontal width; simultaneouslydisplaying the selected advertisement vertically adjacent to the programinformation region, wherein the first horizontal width is substantiallythe same as the second horizontal width; marking the displayedadvertisement along the entire second horizontal width in response to auser selection; and activating the displayed advertisement to invoke afunction.
 45. The method of claim 44, wherein the displayed banneradvertisement is interactive.
 46. The method of claim 44, wherein thedisplayed banner advertisement is independent of user's selection of thedisplayed plurality of schedule information items.
 47. The method ofclaim 44, wherein the displayed banner advertisement has substantiallythe same horizontal width of each of the displayed plurality of scheduleinformation items.
 48. The method of claim 44, wherein the displayedbanner advertisement has substantially the same vertical height of eachof the displayed plurality of schedule information items.
 49. The methodof claim 44, wherein the displayed banner advertisement has a verticalheight substantially twice the vertical height of each of the displayedplurality of schedule information items.
 50. The method of claim 44,wherein the displayed banner advertisement includes one or more of text,graphics, and video.
 51. The method of claim 44, wherein the banneradvertisement is displayed above the program information region.
 52. Themethod of claim 44, wherein the banner advertisement is displayed belowthe program information region.
 53. The method of claim 44, wherein thefunction is ordering one or more of an advertised product and anadvertised service.
 54. The method of claim 44, wherein the function isscheduling an autotuning to a broadcast about an advertised product orservice.
 55. The method of claim 44, wherein the function is schedulinga recording of a broadcast about an advertised product or service. 56.The method of claim 44, wherein the function is tuning to a broadcastabout an advertised product or service.
 57. The method of claim 44,wherein the advertisement is about a pay program.
 58. The method ofclaim 57, wherein the function is scheduling viewing of the pay program.59. The method of claim 44, wherein the function is displaying abillboard about an advertised product.
 60. The method of claim 44,wherein the function is displaying a screen of additional informationabout one or more of an advertised product, an advertised service, andan advertised program.
 61. A system for simultaneously displaying banneradvertisements with a program guide, comprising: a display configuredto: present a plurality of schedule information items in a programinformation region of the display, the display having a first horizontalwidth; and select an advertisement for display from a plurality ofadvertisements, the advertisement having a second horizontal width; anda processor configured to: simultaneously display the selectedadvertisement vertically adjacent to the program information region,wherein the first horizontal width is substantially the same as thesecond horizontal width; mark the displayed advertisement along theentire second horizontal width in response to a user selection; andactivate the displayed advertisement to invoke a function.
 62. Thesystem of claim 61, wherein the displayed banner advertisement isinteractive.
 63. The system of claim 61, wherein the displayed banneradvertisement is independent of user's selection of the displayedplurality of schedule information items.
 64. A method for simultaneouslydisplaying banner advertisements with a program guide, comprising:displaying a plurality of schedule information items in a display, theschedule information items each having a horizontal width; selecting anadvertisement for display from a plurality of advertisements;simultaneously displaying the selected advertisement vertically adjacentto the displayed plurality of schedule information items, wherein theselected advertisement has a horizontal width substantially the same asthe horizontal width of at least one of the schedule information items;in response to a user selection, marking the displayed advertisementalong the entire horizontal width; and activating the displayedadvertisement to invoke a function.
 65. The method of claim 64, whereinthe displayed banner advertisement is adjacent to the programinformation region of the display.
 66. The method of claim 64, whereinthe displayed banner advertisement is interactive.
 67. The method ofclaim 64, wherein the displayed banner advertisement is independent ofuser's selection of the displayed plurality of schedule informationitems.
 68. The method of claim 64, wherein the displayed banneradvertisement has substantially the same horizontal width of each of thedisplayed plurality of schedule information items.
 69. The method ofclaim 64, wherein the displayed banner advertisement has substantiallythe same vertical height of each of the displayed plurality of scheduleinformation items.
 70. The method of claim 64, wherein the displayedbanner advertisement has a vertical height substantially twice thevertical height of each of the displayed plurality of scheduleinformation items.
 71. The method of claim 64, wherein the displayedbanner advertisement includes one or more of text, graphics, and video.72. The method of claim 64, wherein the banner advertisement isdisplayed above the displayed plurality of schedule information.
 73. Themethod of claim 64, wherein the banner advertisement is displayed belowthe displayed plurality of schedule information.
 74. The method of claim64, wherein the function is ordering one or more of an advertisedproduct and an advertised service.
 75. The method of claim 64, whereinthe advertisement is about a pay program.
 76. The method of claim 75,wherein the function is scheduling viewing of the pay program.
 77. Themethod of claim 64, wherein the function is displaying a billboard aboutan advertised product.
 78. The method of claim 64, wherein the functionis displaying a screen of additional information about one or more of anadvertised product, an advertised service, and an advertised program.